Sanjay Bangar, the former India batting coach and former RCB head coach who worked extensively alongside Virat Kohli in his two stints, is confident that the 34-year-old is ready to take on the Pakistani bowling attack in their upcoming clash in the Asia Cup 2023, on Saturday in Kandy.
A couple of days out from the encounter, Virat Kohli had lavished praise on the Pakistani bowling attack – which comprises fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, and spinners Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz – saying that Pakistan have “really impactful bowlers” and he will need to be at his best to score against them. Pakistan recently blew away Nepal for only 104 runs on a good pitch in Multan.
Sanjay Bangar, who has observed Virat Kohli from close quarters in recent years, gave technical details of how the star Indian batsman is preparing to face the Pakistani pacers, especially Shaheen Afridi, and what shots he could play against them.
“He is setting up really nice and early, staying still, allowing the ball to come to him. That is one aspect which is going to help him big time, especially against Shaheen Shah Afridi because he gets the ball to swing in late. And if we are watching the ball, letting it come to you, you can actually play it down the ground or play it to mid-on or mid-wicket region; that is where his strength is,” Bangar said on Star Sports.
Virat Kohli is ready for the greatest rivalry in world cricket: Sanjay Bangar
In the past three-four years, there is a small chink in Virat Kohli’s armor that he emerged: he gets tied down by spinners turning the ball away from him, since he doesn’t play shots like sweep and backfoot cuts to spinners these days.
Bangar has the answer to how the talisman Indian batter will tackle Shadab and Nawaz.
“Against the spinners, he has his own methods of scoring runs. Against Shadab Khan, he will look to rock onto the back foot, play between point and cover region, a lot on the back foot. Against Mohammad Nawaz, he will look to use his feet because he is not afraid of doing that,” Bangar added.
Sanjay Bangar reminded the fans of his epic knock at the MCG against Pakistan last year, and his incredible six to Haris Rauf – famously known as the 18.5 six – ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 clash.
“Yes, Virat Kohli is ready for the Greatest Rivalry in world cricket, India versus Pakistan. The last time these two nations played, Virat came out with a special innings, and that shot versus Haris Rauf will be etched in the memories of cricket lovers for a long, long time,” Bangar asserted
